The Sound. The Broken. The Hopeful.
I am Vinyl Scratch a.k.a D-J PON3. Today is the day I finally come out and tell the truth, the truth about my talent..about my music. Great things often come at a price. This price is often something or someone you hold dearly. This object or person will always be remembered but forever gone. -sighs- here we go...
. . .
It was a snowy winter day. My friend Star sat next to me he is a boy I have known since I have been living on the streets he and I were about the same age he was only two months ahead of me. We were stuck in our ally way...our home we have had for six months now. It wasnt so bad at least we were alive and breathing but damn was it cold.
"F-fuck its so cold out here Star!" I was shivering as the cold winter air blew into the ally way.
"It is always cold.." He said flatly not a hint of emotion showing. You see Star...he was broken he had no reason to keep going..no reason but me. He told me he once did have a meaning on this world but no longer could he keep up with his own dreams, soon they soared too high and when he reached for them he fell down and landed here..we're hobos..we have lived like this for a long time now and we hated it but loved each other...we are like brother and sister...always there for one another. Always. Always. Always.
"Don't say that! It wasn't always so bad, and maybe were gonna catch a break."
"I know." His tone wasn't reassuring.
I huddled closer to him and wrapped my arms around him trying to comfort him as well as get warm. I noticed that he smiled but only for a split second.
"Who's turn is it?" Star never liked going out and begging for money, he told me it always made him feel..worse. I don't know what is worse than broken but I hope I wouldn't ever have to find out.
"You know as well as me..." I got up and wrapped myself in a blanket and walked out of the ally way not knowing whether I would receive any charity at all. Somedays it was twenty bits..others it was one bit...I really hope today is a twenty day cause I could really go for a cup of hot steaming cocoa.
I was walking towards the corner of the street were I usually set up but instead of there being an empty spot for me to sit at there was a man who sat there strumming a guitar.
I walked up to him and listened...it was peaceful..a slow calm series of cords. Repeated. Desperate. Alone.
I decided not to bother the lone stranger and walked back towards the ally way..I passed by a cafe and looked through at the poster that was placed on the window it read.
THINK YOURE TALENTED! THINK THAT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH THE BEAT OF THE DJs? WELL COME ON IN AND SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT OUR TURN TABLES ARE OPEN FOR ALL NO CHARGE!!!
"Looks like a good excuse to go into a warm place..I should go get Star"
. . .
When I came back and told Star everything he smiled and for a split second it looked as if he had an idea...we walked to the cafe slowly enjoying each others company, as we arrived to the cafe I could hear a terrible screeching sound from inside then a following assortments of booing. We walked in and I instantly felt the warmth on my face. I looked over to Star but he retained his emotionless mask over his face. He looked over at me.
"Are you warm?"
"Yes"
"Good." He smiled again..two smiles in one day...who needs twenty bits this is already becoming a great day.
We sat down at a booth while a man left the stage with his head down.
"Must of been the guy who tried to play."
"Poor fellow he was just trying to do something he thought would be fun." Star had a sorrowful look that plagued his eyes.
"ALRIGHT EVERYBODY WHO IS UP NEXT?!" A black man with a shaved head enthusiastically yelled into the mic but no one stood up.
"DONT BE SHY COME UP OR I WILL PICK YOU OUT AND REMEMBER YOU CAN ONLY BE IN HERE IF YOU ARE A CUSTOMER OR A VOLUNTEER!"
I frowned knowing everyone in here was intimidated by the crowd. I knew everyone didn't want to be laughed at so they hid and waited to laugh at others.
"I WARNED YA..." His eyes scanned the room and as the two odd ones out guess who he picked..the ones who didn't even look like they belonged to the same species, he pointed straight at me.
"GET UP HER GIRL AND SHOW US WHAT YOU CAN DO!"
I somehow already knew it was gonna be me...it had to me..of course it had to be me but I was determined to stay in the warmth for as long as I possibly could. So I stood up and joined him on the stage. I looked at the turn table and all of the vinyls that were laid out on the rack. Some were labeled 'classic, deathstep, emo, rock, metal' and so on but two caught my eye and so did the one beside it. They weren't in the right section because when I pulled them out they were labeled dubstep and electronic. The section they were in was labeled generic. I placed them both on the turn table and let out a very nervous breath. I looked up at the small crowd gathered at the edge of the stage...they were like sharks..just waiting for the feeding frenzy to begin waiting to laugh at any mistake I would make. All but one who shouted out.
"You can do it Scratch!" Heh it has been so long since he has called my name..even if I mess this up..this still has been a great day and so far its only getting better.
I look at the turn tabled and pushed 'play synced'.
"HERE WE GO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN LETS SEE WHAT THIS GIRL CAN DO!"
Star's POV
The music resonated from the speakers, pulsing and beating. The sound..such beauty such hope...one record was playing a humming sound while the other was letting out a constant beat. She stood there and once her hand was placed upon the record the magic truly started. Long notes, short notes, silence, rhythm, she belonged there she belonged to music. I smiled for the third time today..I haven't been happy for a while I'm glad to of helped her here but now that she has found her meaning it is my time to go. I tugged on the sleeve of a man who stood near me.
"Can you give this note to her when she is done? Tell her its from star if she doesn't listen to you," he just nodded and went back to listening to the music that Scratch gave off.
A tear threatened my eyes but I gave no care to it. I left the cafe while the crowd went wild she wouldn't of noticed me leave. The note I left her was written a long time ago. I made it when we met I knew there was only a matter of time till she blossomed. Till I had to go..I looked up at the sky and with that I was gone.
. . .
Vinyl's POV
The music was running through me I couldn't stop until I was satisfied until I felt as if I have made a point. I couldn't hear the crowds screams, the music was taking over and moving me until finally the DJ stopped the music. It brought me back into the realization of life.
The DJ just stared at me and gave me a nod.
"You are exactly what I was hoping for...I wanted someone like you to come with me..I have a record deal waiting for you all you have to do is say yes and we will start your new life." The DJ had the biggest and hopeful smile I have seen in forever.
"I have a friend I need to talk to him first ok?"
The man simply nodded.
"U-um ma'am a boy named star gave me this note for you."
"W-what?" Where is Star....I looked all over the room but he wasnt here, I quickly snatched the note from his hand and read it.
I always knew you would find your meaning and I am so glad I could help you find it. Don't bother looking for me I'm already gone. Dont you dare cry Scratch please I will always be with you in heart right? Heh its funny though after all this time I helped you I couldn't help myself but thats alright. I was always there for you but now you can handle yourself goodluck.
The tears were already flowing out of my eyes I couldn't stop but I looked to the DJ and nodded my head.
. . .
The first few months were hard without him..I missed him so much it felt as if a big part of my life..a part of me left. The music never let me down though, each time I played I didn't forget him but I remembered, I cherished him all the times we spent together. I am happy...but I think I just needed a bit of closure and thats why I have decided to tell you all this...thank you for listening.
-Scratch